Media

AGLA has asked the Federal Government for $10 million to scope local government’s preparedness to deal with cyber-attacks and data breaches. In the lead-up to the Federal Budget, local government is seeking funding from the Government to improve councils’ readiness to deal with cyber-attacks and boost their defences against data breaches. Recent local government surveys+

AGLA has called on the Federal Government to provide $7 million over four years in the upcoming Budget for a new local government Indigenous Partnership Network. Local government associations across Australia need extra support to work closely with governments, councils and peak bodies to progress Closing the Gap, and new funding would enable councils to+

Commonwealth, state and territory governments must develop a sustainable funding model for maintaining local road networks with upfront investment to ensure roads are more resilient to severe weather, according to ALGA.  This was a key recommendation outlined by ALGA to a parliamentary committee on 30 March, as part of a submission to the House of+

In the lead up to this year’s Budget, ALGA is calling for $300 million per year for councils to improve freight productivity and infrastructure on Australia’s local roads. Local governments manage around 77 percent of Australia’s roads by length and play an important role in authorising heavy vehicle access on local roads.  However councils only+

ALGA has partnered with the Australian Airports Association (AAA) to urge the Federal Government to provide $250 million per year over four years for a new Regional Infrastructure Recovery Program to protect regional infrastructure against future disasters. Unprecedented natural disasters in 2022 and 2023 have devastated regional communities and infrastructure, with the National Emergency Management+

Australian councils are invited to support a national education campaign around the dangers of asbestos in the home and workplace. As part of the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign from 12 March – 10 April 2023, local government is urged to access and share a stakeholder pack containing a range of useful materials you may wish+

Councils are invited to make a submission to the Federal Government’s Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport which is now open. The review – announced in December 2022 – is conducted every five years.   A discussion paper was also released as part of the consultation process. The consultation involves public transport users+

ALGA has urged the Federal Government to honour its pre-election commitment to provide “fair increases” in Financial Assistance Grants to local government. President Cr Linda Scott said many local governments heavily rely on FA Grants to remain sustainable and urgently need an increase in this untied funding. “Australian councils are facing significant financial challenges, especially+

ALGA has partnered with the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia (IPWEA) to call for the Federal Government to make the successful Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program permanent, with $500 million per year ongoing and funding indexed annually.  On behalf of Australia’s 537 councils, ALGA highlighted the importance of investing in local governments+

ALGA has joined forces with GrainGrowers, the National Farmers Federation and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association to call for emergency funding of nearly $5.5 billion in the upcoming Federal Budget. Representing stakeholders from across regional Australia including farmers, transporters and local councils, the Rural Road Alliance was formed in response to the critical challenges+

A series of new fact sheets has been developed to support councils under a partnership between Our Watch and ALGA. The 12 fact sheets provide an overview and introduction of the role local government can play in the prevention of violence against women.  The tools are relevant for councils and council staff at various stages+

The 2023 National Awards for Local Government are now open for applications. These national awards celebrate outstanding local government achievements across Australia, including recognising local governments that are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence and deliver outcomes that are replicable across the country. All elected local government organisations, local government associations+

Councils are encouraged to register their interest to have a say on the Federal Government’s new National Housing and Homelessness Plan. ALGA looks forward to working with the Government on the development of this plan, and highlighting the vital role local governments can play in addressing the national housing crisis. The National Plan will be+

The 2023 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) – incorporating the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum – will be held from 13-15 June in Canberra.  This year’s NGA at the National Convention Centre is expected to be the biggest yet and the program is being developed to feature a wide range of high profile+

Circular Australia – an independent not-for-profit company – has released a new guide for local governments and other organisations to take action on progressing towards a circular economy.  In collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, the study kickstarts a national dialogue on how to report and measure progress towards designing+